Wire-stretcher.



LEMUEL SORRELLS, OF INDUSTRY, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Application filed September 13, 1916. Serial No. 119,917. I

T 0 all 10h one it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEMUEL SoRRnLLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Industry in the county of McDonough and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to wire stretchers and particularly to devices for stretching wire fencing. The general object of my invention is to provide a very simple, cheaply constructed and easily operated device for this purpose which shall be thoroughly effective and which may be used to stretch and hold wires or wire fencing to any desired extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having relatively great leverage so that considerable power may be applied to straining the wire fence.

Further objects are to improve the de tails of construction of devices of this character, reduce the number of parts, and provide for the effectiveness of the construction.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an elevation showing the manner in which my mechanism is applied to stretching a fence;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing my mechanism in applied position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the bars 10 and the rods 12 and 23, the strain applying member being in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the means for engaging the chains 2% with the wire clamping members.

Referring to these figures it will be seen that my improved wire stretcher comprises the laterally disposed bars 10 which are preferably pivotally connected to cross bars 11 disposed at each end of themembers 10 and connecting them so as to form a frame, the members 10 being spaced from each other a predetermined distance. Extending between the cross bars 11 is a guide rod 12. The bars 10 are formed with a plurality of perforations 13 disposed at predetermined distances. An anchoring chain 14 extends from the ends of the rear cross bar 11 to a ring 15 and this in turn is engaged with a chain 16 which is adapted to pass around an anchoring post 17 or other suitable anchoring member.

Operating between the bars 10 is a stretch ing member designated generally 18. This member has two oppositely directed arms 19, which are relatively long, and a middle body portion having an upward extension 20 and a downward extension 21 adapted to fit between the bars 10 so that the arms 19 will rest upon the bars 10. The body of this stretching member is formed with a transversely extending slot 22 for the passage of the guide rod 12. A pull rod 23 is operatively connected to the extension 20 and is formed with a hook at its outer extremity, while connected to the extension 21 is another pull rod 23 of the same character as the first. Chains 24 are connected to these pull rods, these chains in turn extending to a ring 25 which is shackled to a bolt 26.

For the purpose of gripping and holding the wire and more particularly gripping and holding the end of a piece of wire fencing I provide the clamping bars 27 which are bolted together by bolts 28 and are engaged by arms 29 which are formed with eyes 30 through which the bolt 26 passes.

In the practical use of my invention the wire fencing is attached to the post in the usual manner and then the stretcher applied to stretch this wire fencing. I have illustrated the wire fencing as passing around and being attached to the corner post 31, braced by the braces 32. The clamping bars 27 are clamped upon the wire fencing by means of the bolts 28. Then a peg or pin 33 is disposed in one of the perforations 13 to form a fulcrum for the stretching member. The opposite end of the stretching member is then drawn rearward and then another pin 33 is disposed in the perforation in the opposite bar 10. The operator then draws rearward on the other end of the lever and the first pin 33 is disposed in the next adjacent hole and so on step by step until the fence has been drawn sufliciently tight when it is stapled to the fence post.

While I have illustrated my device as used for tightening wire fencing comprising a reticulated web, it will of course be understood that it may be used for tightening individual wires or in any position where a tightening or strain applying device is de sirable. It will also be understood that I may modify the device in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, What I claim is:

A strain applying device comprising parallel side bars formed With perforations at predetermined intervals, cross bars connecting the side bars, a longitudinally extending rod attached to the end bars and dis posed between the side bars, anchoring devices secured to the rear end bar, a strain applying member comprising a T-shaped body portion and laterally projecting arms, the arms and the T-shaped body portion slidingly engaging the side bars, the body portion having a slot through which the guide rod passes pins adapted to be inserted in the perforations in the side bars, each pin forming a fulcrum for the strain applying member, flexible connections extending from the body portion of the strain applying member, and Wire clamping members 0peratively connected to the connections.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LEMUEL SORRELLS.

WVitnesses:

W. A. KELLY, WVARD HORNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

